One of the UK’s top racing teams, Carlin, has offered a test in a Formula 4 car to the winner of this weekend’s New Zealand Formula Ford Festival in Christchurch.
The winner of the feature race at Ruapuna will already receive a free drive in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch later this year.
While over in the UK, the lucky driver will also test a British F4 car prepared by Carlin.
Carlin currently competes in global series such as IndyCar and the European Le Mans Series. However, the team is most prominent in junior categories, namely open-wheel series’ like Formula 2 and Indy Lights.
Current Formula 1 drivers Lando Norris and Yuki Tsunoda both raced for Carlin in F2 before stepping up to the top-tier championship.
“We really appreciate that Carlin have come on board to support the Formula Ford Festival in New Zealand,” festival organiser Nigel Barclay said.
“It’s a great prize that we have been able to add for the event and will be a great opportunity for the winner.”
Team founder Trevor Carlin recognises the importance of Formula Ford as the first step in a young driver’s career.
“We recognise that Formula Ford is an important stepping-stone in a young driver’s career,” Carlin said.
“We have also seen some extremely talented Kiwi drivers competing in Europe and are happy to be involved in the Formula Ford Festival in New Zealand and to give the lucky winner an opportunity to test one of our British Formula 4 cars.”
Saturday’s meeting celebrates 50 years of Formula Ford racing in New Zealand, as well as the 40th anniversary of the South Island Formula Ford Club.
The event will play host to the final round of the ITM New Zealand Formula Ford championship, currently led by Auckland teenager Matthew McCutcheon.
Yesterday it was announced the Kiwi racing icon Ken Smith would be racing in the event, with a further 70 drivers on the entry list.
